Microsoft is going all in on artificial intelligence (AI) with a $25 million initiative to use it to build better technology for people with disabilities. This interesting information came to us from the Associated Press in their article, “Microsoft launches $25M program to use AI for disabilities.”
CEO Satya Nadella announced the new “AI for Accessibility” effort the Microsoft’s recent annual conference for software developers meant to foster enthusiasm for the company’s latest ventures in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, internet-connected devices and virtual reality.
“We should be asking not only what computers can do, but what computers should do,” Nadella said. “That time has come.”
The five-year accessibility initiative will include seed grants for startups, nonprofit organizations and academic researchers, as well as deeper investments and expertise from Microsoft researchers.
Microsoft has a history with accessibility tools. In years past, new products such as a “Seeing AI” free smartphone app using computer vision and narration to help people navigate if they’re blind or have low vision were introduced.
Melody K. Smith
Sponsored by Data Harmony, a unit of Access Innovations, the world leader in indexing and making content findable.
